How Solar Panels Work: How do Solar Panels Turn Sunlight into Electricity

How Solar Panels Work:
Let's Keep This Simple

Here's the first thing you want to know about how solar panels work:

They do not use the heat from the sun, they use the light.

My apologies if that is obvious to you, but it wasn't obvious to me before I learned about solar panels.

So what do solar panels do with the sunlight?

Well, solar panels are made out of semiconductor materials like silicon (the same stuff that's in your computer).

This semiconductor material is treated so it's positively charged on one side and negatively charged on the other.

When light energy strikes this "solar cell", electrons are knocked loose from the semiconductor material.

At this point, these electrons can be captured in the form of an electric current so they can be put to work.

Before this happens, however, electrical conductors must be attached to the positive and negative sides of the solar cell.

Then what?

This electric current (i.e. "electricity") can be used to toast your bagel or play your CD's.

There, now you know how solar power works and if anyone asks you'll know just what to tell them.

Or you could just stare off into the distance and say "It's the magical workings of the Faeries".